In an earlier review in this journal ( Corin and Murphy, October 1979) the African psychiatric picture was presented from the Western viewpoint. However, symptom configurations and etiological considerations pointed to the importance of locating the clinical pictures within their cultural context, and the present paper therefore attempts to offer an overview of what is known about the ways traditional African societies name, classify, explain, and treat mental disorders. It will explore how the pertinent beliefs and practices form a genuine and original psychiatric system, although one which is undergoing transformation during the present process of cultural change on the continent.
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